Lowndes County Schools Superintendent Sandra Wilcher has been selected to participate in Cohort 5 of the Georgia School Superintendents Association’s (GSSA) Senior Executive Leadership Program (SELP), joining a select group of superintendents from across the state for a yearlong advanced leadership experience.

Wilcher joined 21 fellow Georgia superintendents this week for the cohort’s first session, The 4 Essential Roles of Leadership®. The session focused on strengthening strategic leadership, navigating complex challenges, translating vision into action, and developing others to achieve at high levels.

GSSA’s Senior Executive Leadership Program is designed to provide experienced school superintendents with continued professional growth through advanced leadership development, collaboration with peers, and opportunities to strengthen their ability to lead and advocate for public education.

Wilcher has served Lowndes County Schools since 1999 and became the district’s first female superintendent in June 2023. During her tenure as superintendent, the district has continued to strengthen academic performance while advancing initiatives focused on leadership development, communication, school safety, fiscal stewardship, facilities, student support, and community engagement. Under her leadership, Lowndes County Schools has reached a 95.1% graduation rate, earned a 4.5-star Financial Efficiency Star Rating, lowered its millage rate to a historic low, opened the new Lake Park Elementary School, and became one of only eight school systems in Georgia in which every school earned the Ready Georgia Seal of Preparedness. The district was also ranked the No. 7 Best School District in Georgia among the state’s 180 public school districts, according to Niche.com.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside superintendents from across Georgia who share a commitment to public education,” Wilcher said. “I believe we should always continue to learn, grow, and look for ways to strengthen the work we do. I look forward to bringing new ideas and perspectives back to Lowndes County Schools as we continue working together to create the very best opportunities for our students.”

Throughout the yearlong program, cohort members will participate in sessions centered on the complex responsibilities of district leadership while building a statewide network of education leaders who can learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives.

Wilcher’s selection reflects Lowndes County Schools’ continued commitment to strong leadership at every level of the organization. Through SELP, she will have the opportunity to further strengthen practices that support the district’s schools, employees, students, and families while contributing to conversations surrounding public education across Georgia.